Overhead Compass/Temp Fix

Nice!

 

Hey siliconmethod,
Wish I would have seen your link on soldering BEFORE!!! hahaha! My job on the resistor looks brutal! But hey, at least it works!!

 

I subscribed to this thread over a year ago. I got updates almost daily but decided it would be worth it to keep getting the almost daily email notices that the thread had been updated on the off chance that my temp sensor ever died... well yesterday was the day. I logged onto my email account today and got an update to the Overhead Compass/Temp Fix thread, clicked on the link and viola.

Man I love this site!!!

 

I looked and found I am pre wired for the heat sensor below the hood latch, so I suspect I am pre wired for the Temp/Compass Module. I found the the part # which you can buy just the "meter assy" 83290-04011, (temp/console module), but wonder if I can use my current overhead console. I have the console with the sunglass holder in place of the display. Is this removeable so I can replace it with the module and display? I guess my question could be answered by dropping the console to see, but it does not seem removable from the outside? Anyone know if it pops out of place and the display can be snapped into its place? Thanks for the help

 

PSJ, like you I remember when, back in April 08, I bought my 08 Prerunner Tacoma new, I knew that the overhead console 'did not' have the temperature/compass display but as others did, I checked to make sure that the connectors were there, already pre-wire for exactly the temp & compass, (did not like the way the Gray interior looked) that was one problem for starters. This was my first problem. So I wanted to install one in my overhead but found out that Toyota only makes the interior in 'Gray' color not 'Beige' (like I have currently in my 08) for only the overhead console with a temp./compass display!
Second problem, my truck did not have the actual 'temperature sensor' located behind the front grill as everyone else says that it 'should' be there, also there wasn't even the wire harness for it, that was missing too! I wanted my original beige color overhead console but was willing to swap just the area where it has the section with the garge door opener with a gray temp./compass display.
So I set out to add a temperature/compass display in my overhead and install the temperature sensor behind the front grill.
First I was able to acquire a 'Gray' overhead console with a working temp./compass display. Then I removed my overhead console and "carefully" (you have to be because its delicate) removed the gray console's temp./compass display and also removed the 'garge door' opener section from my beige overhead console. I used a soldering iron to loosen the melted sections that make the attachments for each one. Once I swaped them (of course just a small section) I made sure that the (temp./compass) sections were going to be setting exactly where the garage door opener was (you may have to manually use a razor to remove some of the residue) and re-applied the soldering iron to secure the points where it will hold them (as originally set). After all that was done I re-installed the overhead console (plugged the two connectors in their respective places) back in its place in the interior. It does not look bad at all! As a matter of fact you really can't tell unless you actually point it out or someone stays looking at it for a long period of time and most of the time individuals really don't notice it.
Once that was taken care of I purchased the outside temperature sensor from the dealer along with the matching plug in adapter and bought some wire, heat shrink, black flex tubing, tie bands and had to order some pin connectors. Then first I measured the amount of wire that was necessary to run from the front of the truck (start from behind the grill) to the fuse box under the dash, make that cut and you may want to allow yourself a bit of wire for slack, just in case. Then I attached the wires to each wire connector on the temperature sensor then on the other end of the two wires attached the pin connectors to each wire. At this point I also covered the wire with the flex tubing. After that was accomplished I attached the temperature sensor to the front end (behind the grill) as shown in other post and just used the tie bands along the route, to secure the flex tubing to the edges, to the section on the backside where all the other wiring goes through that black section into the truck cabin under the dash. You just might have to make your own hole to pass it thru but that really should not be a problem.
Once you've got the wire black tubing harness thru, just attach the two wires that you prepared with pin connectors to the fuse box section that requires the pin to be place in. There are a couple of threads that explain just where exactly what connector and pin numbers the wired-pins should go to, I will have to search for them and when I do I will add them here. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...lp-overhead-console-temp-compass-install.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...perature-gauge-sensor-install.html#post903686
My apologies for the "long-ass" post but this is how I did it. You don't have to follow my instructions exactly its just to give you an example more or less of what to expect.
Good Luck on your project if you decide to attemp this.

 

Well, I guess the good news is that I have the Gray interior, and I am pre wired for the for the heat sensor and compass. How much were your parts? It seemed before either guys did the fix or they had to fork out 900 for a new console. Now Toyota sells just the "meter assy" or temp/console module. I saw it available for $213.67 on toyotapartsales.com. Have not found the sensor, by any chance do you have the part#? Was the console you bought at the junk jard cheaper then buying the module alone?
So, when I get the parts I am just connecting the sensor up front, then unsoldering the garage door opener section and ressoldering in the temp/compass module in place and plug it in. Seems pretty easy.
Thanks for the info... I thought I was going to have to start from square 1 like you did. I let you how it works out...

 

I was lucky to purchase the grey overhead console with the Temp./Compass display here on the TacomaWorld Forum, if I can remember for $85.00 bucks. Yes you are lucky that your interior is the matching gray color. I was just informing, whomever, what I did to install my temperature compass display in gray to a beige interior overhead console. Of course the colors mismatch but it really does not look bad at all. I even thought about trying to re-paint just that small section of the temp./compass display to see if I could match the same shade of beige interior but changed my mind after I knew that it would be a one-shot only attempt and I did not want to jack-it-up and be out for good.
As for the total cost for everything, well it was maybe just over $100 bucks considering I had to buy the actual temperature sensor and matching connector from the dealer (can't remember the exact cost, $12-15 bucks I think, for both) and the other small accessories, excluding the beer! Look at the second post that I posted in my previous post and the first individual (BeefTaco) gives a list of parts see #1 and #3, known as a Thermistor Assembly and Connector Assembly respectively and gives the actual part numbers for each.
You said that you could purchase the Temperature-Compass Meter Assembly from the dealer (05-08 part number #83290-04030 for 09-11 #83290-04011) and yes you can but you will still need the actual small section/holder to mount that assembly meter. So you still need that part used since the dealer only sells the whole overhead console and not the actual small section/hold for the meter assembly. You have two choices, buy a used overhead console with a temp./compass assembly or buy a new overhead console from the dealer. I don't know if it comes with the temp./compass display though or you would have to buy that seperate but be prepared to spend some big time $$$$ since your dealing with the dealer for just that part.
Your best bet (least costly) would be to buy a used one and go from there. The Meter Assembly for the temperature-compass display price will vary at different dealerships (at least around here) I've priced them myself and found the price to range from $240 to $147. You might also want to check Ebay and Craigslist or just check the web and and see what other online Toyota parts sellers are asking for that specific part. Might I also suggest that if you happend to find it cheaper you can always ask the dealer if they can price match the item as long as you can show them that its actually selling for that lower price? What have you got to lose, all they can tell you is yes or no?
I would 've like'd for mine to have been as easy as yours to install but hey I have no regrets, it all looks good and am very satisfied with it all!

 

so mine went out when i was out in teh middle of no where hunting, made me so mad. but luckily i found this and it workedd!!! thank you OP. i did however notice the temp and compass is off, and im WAY too lazy looking through 42 pages worth. cant drive it aroud yet as im painting every "dotted" part of the interior black, making it more of a two tone. So if it doesnt recalibrate itself, i might need a little more help or be pointed to the right page.

 

For those individuals that don't have the time to look thru their owners manual.
This basically applies to just about any year starting from 2005 on.

 

hi guys i have a litle isue on my taco 2008 double cab 4.o,preruner,i bougth this truck used and it has missing the wiring the one goes from temp sensor infront of the radiator to the conector from temp/compas wiring,any body knows wich conector is from 3 conectors located biside the battery.note: this is the reason way my tem/compas console dosent display any temperature

 

Awesome. Very easy. I made a stupid frustrating mistake however... Make sure the display is on while testing it. I went and resoldered it 4 or 5 times before I realized that the stupid thing probably wasn't even on. Sure enough, one click and it all lit up again.

 

Amazing, Dealer never heard of the problem, wanted 1 1/2hr to diagnose. Found in 5 minutes on the forum. $7.99 soldering kit from Radio Shack, and a first time solderer got it fixed in 30 min. Thanks for the help folks.

JWG

 

I'll be fixing mine after work. I figure I'd check here before asking my stealership.

I'm glad I checked here first!
I hope I can return the favor someday...THANK YOU!!!!

 

I was trying to fix my overhead compass/temp and I broke the 510 resistor. Where can I find some at to fix it?? Also does anyone know of a place in Orlando fl that will fix them. I am not very good at fixing it.

 

There's a post somewhere in this thread for a source for that resistor Baldy...I remember seeing it...just have to sift through to find it.

 

You can get a replacement resistor here, this should be the one you need:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P510ALCT-ND


As for some one who can do it, go find an electrical engineering student at UCF and give them 20 bucks/pizza+beer and they will probably do it for you.

 

I found an electronics repair shop in my town, told them the issue to look for and by golly, it was the 510 resistor.

 

Does any know the website to get 510 resistors??

 

Toyota redesigned the circuit board where the 510 resistors now sit up off the board. I re-soldered mine; while it now works, the temperature is slow to update. Every time I start my truck up it's 96 degrees.

 

Any of the online electronics part vendors should have them. I use Mouser and Jameco.